Ranieri savours away win

Report: Stuttgart 0-1 Chelsea Champions League photos

Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri is hopeful his side's Champions League victory in Stuttgart will prove a turning point in their season.

Fernando Meira's own goal on 12 minutes gave Chelsea a 1-0 win to leave them on course for the quarter-finals.

Ranieri said: "Our season is not over yet and we shall continue to fight.

"This result will give my players confidence for the rest of the season because it is not easy to come here and get a result."

Chelsea went into the game with their confidence dented after defeats by Arsenal in the Premiership and FA Cup.

And they had to weather a first-half barrage from Stuttgart to claim a fourth straight away win in the Champions League.

We know Chelsea are very strong away but we also know they have weaknesses at home Stuttgart coach Felix Magath

"In every game you need a little luck. Sometimes you get it and sometimes you don't, and tonight we did," said Ranieri.

"Against Arsenal we were physically at our strongest of the season but we lost.

"There is a difference between how you are physically and mentally and I hope now this will help us recover mentally and will be a turning point in our season.

"After losing both games to Arsenal I thought we looked a bit nervous and a bit anxious at the start tonight, and after we scored I wanted us to show a little more confidence and more calm.

"I wanted us to move the ball the way we are used to, but it was only after about 30 minutes that we started to play our football.

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"We knew Stuttgart would start strongly but we played very well, with the right discipline. We closed down the space and didn't allow them to counter-attack.

"I am very pleased with the performance. We have played four matches away in the Champions League now and have had four victories and that is very important."

Stuttgart coach Felix Magath insisted his side could bounce back in the second leg at Stamford Bridge.

"Of course we are disappointed because we had great plans for tonight and wanted to inflict on Chelsea their first away defeat in the competition," he said.

"But we haven't given up yet. We know Chelsea are very strong away but we also know they have weaknesses at home and we hope to make the most of them when we play them in London."